Objective To analyze the dynamic changes to disease activity,colonic inflammation,histopathology,and serum cytokine levels in mice with chronic ulcerative colitis(UC).Methods For UC induction,2.5％dextran sodium sulfate solution was provided ad libitum for 5 days,and to model remission,tap water was supplied for another 5 days in one induction cycle.Disease activity index(DAI),colon length,and pathological changes to colon tissue were determined.The levels of myeloperoxidase(MPO)in colon tissue and of cytokines such as IL-1 β in serum and colon were detected.Results During the three cycles,disease activity was aggravated and colon length shortened in mice during the induction periods,both of which were relieved during the remission periods.The blood appeared was observed in the stool was earlier in cycles 2 and 3.The number of mice with stool blood increased,and their body weight decreased by a small amount briefly,then recovered rapidly.The degree of histopathological damage to the colon and MPO content in cycles 1 and 3 increased in the induction periods and decreased in the remission periods,with the magnitude of change smaller than that of the change in DAI values;and they increased in the remission period of cycle 2.During induction,the spleen index and serum levels of IL-1β,IL-6,and IL-17A increased continuously and were higher than those in the control group at the end of the experiment.Levels of TNF-α were increased in the induction periods and decreased in the remission periods,and the trend in IL-10 change was similar to that of TNF-α.TGF-β content increased and then decreased and was higher than that in the control group at the end of cycle 3.The colon contents of IL-1β,IL-6,and IL-17A showed similar trends of increasing and then decreasing,but there was no significant change in colon TNF-α.The concentration of IL-10 decreased during the induction periods and increased during the remission periods.Conclusions During the induction of chronic UC in mice,the symptoms of hematochezia and systemic inflammatory reactions gradually increased,and the mice showed an increase in tolerance and ability to resist mortality,weight loss,and histopathological injury to the colon.The onset and remission of colonic histopathological damage lags behind symptomatic changes,and there is a gradual shift in colonic inflammation to a pattern dominated by polymorphonuclear neutrophils(PMN)activation.

The incidence of osteoporotic thoracolumbar vertebral fracture (OTLVF) in the elderly is gradually increasing. The kyphotic deformity caused by various factors has become an important characteristic of OTLVF and has received increasing attention. Its clinical manifestations include pain, delayed nerve damage, sagittal imbalance, etc. Currently, the definition and diagnosis of OTLVF with kyphotic deformity in the elderly are still unclear. Although there are many treatment options, they are controversial. Existing guidelines or consensuses pay little attention to this type of fracture with kyphotic deformity. To this end, the Lumbar Education Working Group of the Spine Branch of the Chinese Medicine Education Association and Editorial Committee of Chinese Journal of Trauma organized the experts in the relevant fields to jointly develop Clinical guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of osteoporotic thoracolumbar vertebral fractures with kyphotic deformity in the elderly ( version 2024), based on evidence-based medical advancements and the principles of scientificity, practicality, and advanced nature, which provided 18 recommendations to standardize the clinical diagnosis and treatment.

Objective:To evaluate the impact of orthopedic robotic assistance and conventional freehand methods on surgical strategies, the safety of pedicle screw placement, and clinical efficacy in patients with upper cervical spine diseases.Methods:From January 2017 to March 2023, a total of 63 cases with upper cervical spine disease, were divided into two groups based on the screw placement technique: the robot-assisted pedicle screw placement (RA) group (41 cases) and the conventional freehand pedicle screw placement (CF) group (22 cases), were retrospectively included. These patients in the RA and CF groups underwent two types of posterior cervical surgery, including occipitocervical fusion (9 cases and 8 cases) and fixation and fusion of atlantoaxial and distal vertebrae (32 cases and 14 cases). The outcome parameters, including the disease course, surgical time, intraoperative blood loss, fluoroscopy frequency, radiation dose, hospital stay, treatment costs, complications, the rate of the pedicle screw placement, accuracy of upper cervical pedicle screw placement, and the risk factors that possibly affected the accuracy were recorded and analyzed. Postoperative follow-up was conducted for at least 6 months, and the efficacy of patients was assessed using imaging parameters, ASIS classification, VAS, and JOA scores.Results:Both groups had no screw-related complications and no spinal cord or vertebral artery injuries. In the RA group, the pedicle screw placement rates for the patients with occipitocervical fusion, and fixation and fusion of atlantoaxial and distal vertebrae were 100% (48/48) and 89.6% (138/154), respectively, far exceeding the placement rate in the CF group 42.9% (18/42) and 78.3% (54/69) (χ 2=37.403, P<0.001; χ 2=5.128, P=0.024). The fluoroscopic exposure dose and operation time of the two types of surgical patients in the RA group were both higher than those in the CF group ( P<0.05). Compared with the CF group, the accuracy of C 1 screws in the RA group increased from 42% (11/26) to 80% (51/64), with statistical significance (χ 2=13.342, P=0.004); while the accuracy of C 2 screws improved from 77% (33/43) to 88% (63/72) with no statistical difference (χ 2=2.863, P=0.413). Non-parametric correlation analysis found a significant correlation between the accuracy of C 1 and C 2 pedicle screw placement and the order of guide wire insertion in the RA group ( r=0.580, P<0.001; r=0.369, P=0.001). Postoperatively, both groups showed significant differences in cervicomedullary angle (CMA), Chamberlain angle (CL), McGregor angle, Boogard angle, Bull angle, clivus-canal angle (CCA), occipitocervical (C 0-C 2) angle, posterior occipitocervical angle (POCA), C 2-C 7 angle, and anterior atlantodental interval (ADI) ( P<0.05). The ASIA classification improved to varying degrees for both groups postoperatively, but there were no statistically significant differences between preoperative, postoperative, and last follow-up evaluations. VAS and JOA scores significantly improved for both groups postoperatively and at the last follow-up ( P<0.05). Conclusion:Both orthopedic robotic-assisted and conventional freehand pedicle screw placement techniques achieved satisfactory therapeutic effects in the treatment of upper cervical spine diseases. The orthopedic robot can effectively ensure the accuracy of upper cervical pedicle screw placement, the increase placement rate of pedicle screws in the upper cervical spine, and reduce fluoroscopy exposure. However, it is necessary to avoid the vertebral displacement caused by the priority insertion of the guide needle, which may affect the accuracy of subsequent planning.

Background/Aims: Total proctocolectomy with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) is widely accepted as a radical surgery for refractory ulcerative colitis (UC). Definite results on the appropriate pouch length for an evaluation of the risk-to-benefit ratio regarding technical complications and long-term quality of life (QOL) are still scarce. Methods: Data on UC patients who underwent IPAA from 2008 to 2022 in four well-established pouch centers affiliated to China UC Pouch Center Union were collected. Results: A total of 208 patients with a median follow-up time of 6.0 years (interquartile range, 2.3 to 9.0 years) were enrolled. The median lengths of the patients’ short and long pouches were 14.0 cm (interquartile range, 14.0 to 15.0 cm) and 22.0 cm (interquartile range, 20.0 to 24.0 cm), respectively. Patients with a short J pouch configuration were less likely to achieve significantly improved long-term QOL (p=0.015) and were prone to develop late postoperative complications (p=0.042), such as increased defecation frequency (p=0.003) and pouchitis (p=0.035). A short ileal pouch was an independent risk factor for the development of late postoperative complications (odds ratio, 3.100; 95% confidence interval, 1.519 to 6.329; p=0.002) and impaired longterm QOL improvement (odds ratio, 2.221; 95% confidence interval, 1.218 to 4.050, p=0.009). Conclusions The length of the J pouch was associated with the improvement in long-term QOL and the development of late post-IPAA complications. A long J pouch configuration could be a considerable surgical option for pouch construction.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the clinical efficacy and safety of rituximab （RTX） followed by belimumab （BLM） in patients with severe systemic lupus erythematosus（SSLE）. METHODS Nine SSLE patients， who were treated with RTX followed by BLM for more than 6 months in the Department of Rheumatology and Immunology of the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from October 2020 to June 2021， were enrolled. Baseline clinical data of patients， laboratory examination results and basic treatment status at weeks 0， 4， 12， and 24 of medication were collected retrospectively. The patients’ systemic lupus erythematosus disease activity index （SLEDAI） score， glucocorticoid dosage and serological indicators （complement C3， complement C4， serum albumin， and 24-hour urine protein quantification） level were analyzed. At the same time， the occurrence of adverse drug reaction was collected. RESULTS All 9 patients completed more than 24 weeks of RTX followed by BLM therapy. All patients suffered from renal impairment， of which 7 （77.8%） had renal pathology support， 3（33.3%） had blood system damage and 2 （22.2%） had nervous system damage. During treatment， with the prolongation of treatment time， the SLEDAI score， 24- hour urinary protein quantification， and glucocorticoid dosage of patients showed a significant downward trend， and ultimately decreased to the normal index level （P＜0.05）； serum albumin， complement C3 and complement C4 all showed a significant upward trend， eventually rose to the normal index level （P＜0.05）. During treatment and follow-up， 1 patient developed herpes zoster， 1 patient developed upper respiratory tract virus infection， and 1 patient developed urinary system bacterial infection. All patients recovered after symptomatic treatment. CONCLUSIONS In sequential use of RTX followed by BLM for SSLE， early administration of RTX can quickly stabilizethe condition， significantly alleviate clinical symptoms， and gradually normalize specific serological indicators； subsequent administration of BLM can reduce the type and dosage of basic treatment drugs； there is no increase in the incidence of adverse drug reactions.

The Ly-6 and uPAR (LU) domain-containing proteins represent a large family of cell-surface markers. In particular, mouse Ly-6A/Sca-1 is a widely used marker for various stem cells; however, its human ortholog is missing. In this study, based on a systematic survey and comparative genomic study of mouse and human LU domain-containing proteins, we identified a previously unannotated human gene encoding the candidate ortholog of mouse Ly-6A/Sca-1. This gene, hereby named LY6A, reversely overlaps with a lncRNA gene in the majority of exonic sequences. We found that LY6A is aberrantly expressed in pituitary tumors, but not in normal pituitary tissues, and may contribute to tumorigenesis. Similar to mouse Ly-6A/Sca-1, human LY6A is also upregulated by interferon, suggesting a conserved transcriptional regulatory mechanism between humans and mice. We cloned the full-length LY6A cDNA, whose encoded protein sequence, domain architecture, and exon-intron structures are all well conserved with mouse Ly-6A/Sca-1. Ectopic expression of the LY6A protein in cells demonstrates that it acts the same as mouse Ly-6A/Sca-1 in their processing and glycosylphosphatidylinositol anchoring to the cell membrane. Collectively, these studies unveil a novel human gene encoding a candidate biomarker and provide an interesting model gene for studying gene regulatory and evolutionary mechanisms.
Humans ; Membrane Proteins/genetics* ; Pituitary Neoplasms/genetics* ; Biomarkers

Objective:To study the changes of early (i.e., within post injury day (PID) 14) coagulation function in patients with severe burns.Methods:A retrospective case series study was conducted. From December 2018 to December 2019, 50 severe burn patients who met the inclusion criteria were admitted to Guangzhou Red Cross Hospital of Jinan University. According to the severity of burns, the patients were divided into severe burn group (17 cases, including 12 males and 5 females) and extremely severe burn group (33 cases, including 26 males and 7 females). The platelet count (PLT), and conventional coagulation indexe and thromboelastogram index levels of patients were collected at admission, post injury hour (PIH) 48 and 72, and on PID 7 and 14. The conventional coagulation indexes included prothrombin time (PT), thrombin time (TT), activated partial prothrombin time (APTT), and fibrinogen (FIB) and D-dimer levels. The thromboelastogram indexes included coagulation angle (i.e., α angle), coagulation composite index (CI), MA value, R value, and K value (reflecting maximum amplitude, coagulation reaction time, and blood agglutination time, respectively). Data were statistically analyzed with independent sample t-test, Wilcoxon rank sum test, and chi-square test. Verification of the mixed effect model was performed on each index data of patients in the two groups, while the repeated measures analysis of variance was performed on PLT. Pearson correlation analysis or Spearman correlation analysis were performed to analyze the correlation between the thromboelastogram index data (except CI) and the PLT and conventional coagulation index data, respectively. Results:At admission, PIH 48 and 72, and on PID 7 and 14, PLT of patients in severe burn group were (203±91), (148±70), (123±63), (203±62), (402±140)×10 9/L, respectively, PLT of patients in extremely severe burn group were (235±116), (145±71), (109±52), (235±106), (455±138)×10 9/L, respectively. In overall comparison, only the difference of the main effect of time factor was statistically significant ( F=92.55, P<0.05). In severe burn group, statistically significant differences were only identified in comparison of patients' PLT between PID 7 and the adjacent two time points (at PIH 72 and on PID 14, with both P values <0.05). The differences in PLT of patients between all the adjacent time points in extremely severe burn group were statistically significant ( P<0.05). In the overall comparison of PT, TT, and FIB level of patients in the two groups at each time point, only the difference of main effect of time factor was statistically significant (with F values of 6.04, 8.45, and 32.90, respectively, all P values <0.05), and APTT and FIB level of patients in extremely severe burn group within PID 14 were higher than those in severe burn group. There were statistically significant differences in MA value, α angle, K value, and CI of patients in the two groups at each time point (with F values of 18.82, 11.38, 9.11, and 9.42, respectively, all P values <0.05). MA value was moderately correlated with PLT ( r=0.69, P<0.05), weakly correlated with TT and FIB level (with r values of -0.29 and 0.30 respectively, P<0.05), and very weakly correlated with D-dimer level ( r=-0.15, P<0.05); α angle was moderately correlated with PLT ( r=0.58, P<0.05), and weakly correlated with FIB level and TT (with r values of 0.26 and -0.29, respectively, P<0.05); R value was weakly correlated with APTT and FIB level (with r values of 0.24 and 0.31, respectively, P<0.05), and very weakly correlated with PT and TT (with r values of 0.16 and 0.14, respectively, P<0.05); K value was moderately correlated with PLT ( r=-0.59, P<0.05), and weakly correlated with FIB and TT (with r values of -0.29 and 0.32, respectively, P<0.05), and very weakly correlated with D-dimer level ( r=-0.15, P<0.05). Conclusions:Severe burn patients are already characterized with coagulation function changes in early stage, including insufficiency of coagulation function, enhanced platelet aggregation ability and enhanced FIB function. There is a certain correlation between conventional coagulation indexes and thromboelastogram indexes, but they cannot replace each other.

Osteoporotic thoracolumbar fracture in the elderly will seriously reduce their quality of life and life expectancy. For osteoporotic thoracolumbar fracture in the elderly, spinal reconstruction is necessary, which should comprehensively consider factors such as the physical condition, fracture type, clinical characteristics and osteoporosis degree. While there lacks relevant clinical norms or guidelines on selection of spinal reconstruction strategies. In order to standardize the concept of spinal reconstruction for osteoporotic thoracolumbar fracture in the elderly, based on the principles of scientificity, practicality and progressiveness, the authors formulated the Clinical guideline for spinal reconstruction of osteoporotic thoracolumbar fracture in elderly patients ( version 2022), in which suggestions based on evidence of evidence-based medicine were put forward upon 10 important issues related to the fracture classification, non-operative treatment strategies and surgical treatment strategies in spinal reconstruction after osteoporosis thoracolumbar fracture in the elderly, hoping to provide a reference for clinical treatment.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the clinical characteristics of congenital neutropenia caused by ELANE gene mutations. METHODS: Clinical manifestations, absolute blood neutrophil count, high-throughput exome sequencing for mutation screening, suspected locus Sanger sequencing verification, processes of diagnosis and treatment of two patients with congenital neutropenia caused by ELANE gene mutation were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: High-throughput sequencing has found that proband 1 has carried a heterozygous c.170C>T (p.Ala57Val) missense mutation in exon 2 of the ELANE gene, which was known to be pathological, and a heterozygous c.251T>G (p.Leu84Arg) mutation in exon 3 of proband 2, which was unreported previously. Sanger sequencing confirmed that neither mutation was inherited from their parents. CONCLUSION ELANE mutation is an important cause for congenital neutropenia. Detection of new pathogenic variants has enriched the mutation spectrum of the ELANE gene.

Fluoroquinolones are widely used in clinical practice, but their clinical application in juvenile patients has been controversial.The purpose of this study was to investigate the pharmacokinetic characteristics, indications and adverse reactions of Ciprofloxacin and Levofloxacin in minors.It is shown that the two drugs are effective for infectious diseases and no serious or persistent joint or skeletal muscle injury occurs in minors using the drugs.Hence, in the absence of alternatives, the benefits of Ciprofloxacin or Levofloxacin treatment for minors may outweigh the risks.